The victory celebration at Soul Hall Main Hall was even grander than expected. When Xiao Yan stepped onto the awards platform holding the Soul-Devouring Octopus's ninth-tier Magic Core Crystal, thunderous cheers erupted across the square. The Sixth Elder's projection hovered in midair, approval gleaming in the eyes beneath his black robes. "Young friend Xiao Yan slew a Ninth-Tier Otherworldly Demon and captured Blood Soul Hall's young hall master while merely a Four-Star Dou Emperor. He was truly the greatest surprise of this Hunting Competition."
He waved a hand, and three prizes floated slowly before Xiao Yan. The Peak Eighth-Tier Pill, the Heaven-Burning Pill, rested in a translucent jade bottle, faint pill clouds curling around it. The Mystic Treasure Bodyguard Armor was pitch-black, its plates covered in intricate runes that faintly radiated Dou Zun-level defensive fluctuations. The scroll containing the peak Earth-tier Dou Technique, "Ten Thousand Souls Devour Soul-Devouring Claw," gave off an eerie green glow and an aura that set hearts trembling.
"You have earned all three treasures." A deeper meaning threaded through the Sixth Elder's voice. "The Heaven-Burning Pill in particular requires dragon soul grass as its catalyst and three kinds of heavenly flames to refine. Across the entire Central Plains, only a handful of people can draw out its full medicinal efficacy." Xiao Yan accepted the prizes, something stirring within him-the Sixth Elder seemed to have known all along that he possessed multiple heavenly flames.
Below the platform, Ye Gucheng's face was livid, his clenched fists turning white at the knuckles. He had finished only fifth, failing to win even a third-place prize. For a proud direct-line son of the Ye Family, this was an utter disgrace. When his gaze met Xiao Yan's, the venom in his eyes nearly spilled over, but the moment he encountered Xiao Yan's icy stare, he instinctively looked away.
After the celebration, Xiao Yan did not return to the Wang Family immediately. Instead, he followed the Sixth Elder's projection to a secret chamber in Soul Hall Main Hall. On a stone platform in the center sat a fist-sized crystal orb, countless souls sealed within it and struggling in agony. This was the Soul-Gathering Crystal that Soul Hall used to aid cultivation.
"Xue Wuya has confessed. Blood Soul Hall's collusion with the Otherworldly Demons goes far beyond simply feeding them." The Sixth Elder's voice was grave. "They have built seventy-two small sacrificial altars throughout the Central Plains and are using the souls of living people to inscribe the Ten Thousand Demons Soul-Devouring Formation. Once it is complete, the entire Central Plains will be corrupted by Otherworldly Demons."
Xiao Yan was deeply shaken. "Seventy-two altars? Why hasn't Soul Hall simply destroyed them?" The Sixth Elder sighed. "Blood Soul Hall has a Dou Sheng expert backing it, and these altars are hidden within the territories of various major factions. Acting rashly would plunge the Central Plains into chaos. We need conclusive evidence before we can unite every faction against them."
He handed Xiao Yan a black jade slip. "These are the altar locations we currently know of. With this jade slip, you may mobilize the resources of Soul Hall's branches throughout the region. Your Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame can purify demonic qi, making you the ideal person to investigate the altars." Xiao Yan accepted the jade slip, its chill spreading through his fingertips. "Aren't you afraid I'll pocket those resources for myself, Sixth Elder?"
"Do not doubt those you employ, and do not employ those you doubt." The Sixth Elder's projection gradually blurred. "In three months, Soul Hall will convene the Central Plains Factions Conference. I hope you can bring enough evidence. Also..." Before the projection vanished entirely, he left one final warning. "Beware of the Ye Family. Their relationship with Blood Soul Hall is more complicated than it appears."
Dusk was approaching when Xiao Yan left Soul Hall Main Hall. The Wang Family's carriage was already waiting outside. Surprise and delight flashed in Wang Yue's eyes when she saw the prizes in his hands. "Mr. Xiao Yan, you truly lived up to everyone's expectations! With the Mystic Treasure Bodyguard Armor, you'll be able to protect yourself even against a Dou Zun expert." Xiao Yan nodded and put the prizes into his Storage Ring. "Let's return to the Wang Family first. I need to refine the Heaven-Burning Pill as soon as possible."
On the way back to Wang Family Castle, Xiao Yan kept feeling that someone was watching him from the shadows. He swept his soul power over the surroundings, yet could find no trace of the observer. Could it be someone from the Ye Family? he wondered, gathering the Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame at his fingertips, ready for any sudden attack.
Wang Yue seemed to notice his vigilance and spoke softly. "The Central Plains have been restless lately. Aside from Blood Soul Hall, some mysterious factions have also been moving in the shadows. Three small families were suddenly wiped out last week. Only traces of Otherworldly Demons remained at the scenes, but I keep feeling something is wrong." Xiao Yan frowned. "Entire families wiped out? Does Soul Hall know about this?"
"It's already been reported, but Soul Hall's response was vague. They only said Otherworldly Demons were responsible." Wang Yue lowered her voice further. "My father had some ties with the Ye Family while he was alive. He once said they seemed to be researching some forbidden art that required vast numbers of living souls..." Her words stirred something in Xiao Yan. Connecting them to Blood Soul Hall's altars, a terrifying suspicion took shape in his mind.
Upon returning to Wang Family Castle, Xiao Yan immediately entered seclusion to refine the Heaven-Burning Pill. He took out the millennium dragon soul grass he had obtained in the Misty Swamp and laid it beside the other medicinal ingredients before the refining platform. The Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame blazed inside the cauldron, its gold, azure, red, and blue flames weaving into a vortex that precisely controlled the refining rhythm of every ingredient.
Refining a peak eighth-tier pill proved harder than expected. The dragon qi contained within the dragon soul grass was extraordinarily domineering; the slightest mistake would upset the pill's balance. Xiao Yan had to raise his soul power to the Dou Zong level just to barely suppress the rampaging dragon qi. Under the heat of the Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame, the medicinal liquid in the cauldron steadily condensed, gradually forming a golden pill encircled by nine purple-gold markings.
It's done! Joy rose in Xiao Yan's heart. Just as he was about to retrieve the pill, the cauldron began shaking violently. The markings on the pill's surface twisted, and a destructive energy brewed within-it was a pill tribulation! The birth of a peak eighth-tier pill often stirred extraordinary phenomena in heaven and earth. One careless moment could destroy the pill and kill its maker.
Xiao Yan dared not delay. He immediately summoned the Mystic Treasure Bodyguard Armor. Black armor covered his entire body, its runes lighting up in an instant to form a sturdy defensive barrier. At the same time, dark clouds gathered above the castle. Purple lightning coiled like mighty dragons and struck toward the pill-refining chamber.
Boom! The first bolt struck the armor with a deafening crash. The impact drove Xiao Yan back several steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, but the armor's defenses remained unmoved, perfectly blocking the lightning's assault. Seizing the opportunity, he placed the Heaven-Burning Pill from the cauldron into a jade bottle, then circulated the Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame and moved to meet the second bolt head-on.
Golden flames collided with purple lightning in midair, unleashing a dazzling blaze. Xiao Yan used the lightning's power to temper his body, his Four-Star Dou Emperor aura showing faint signs of a breakthrough amid the crackling bolts. By the time the final bolt dispersed, his aura had stabilized at the peak of Four-Star Dou Emperor, only a single step away from Five-Star Dou Emperor.
"As expected of a mystic treasure that can withstand a strike from a peak Dou Zun." Xiao Yan put away the armor and nodded in satisfaction as he felt the purer Dou Qi within him. The Heaven-Burning Pill's fragrance filled the refining chamber; even a single breath of it made his soul power grow. Rather than immediately taking the pill to break through, he brought out the scroll for "Ten Thousand Souls Devour Soul-Devouring Claw" and began studying the peak Earth-tier Dou Technique.
The writing on the scroll was obscure and difficult to understand. The claw techniques it depicted were vicious and sinister, every move containing the power to devour souls. The more Xiao Yan read, the more alarmed he became. Powerful though the technique was, it carried a thick, evil aura and clearly had countless threads connecting it to Soul Hall's cultivation arts.
"No wonder Ye Gucheng wanted this Dou Technique." Xiao Yan put the scroll away. "A soul-devouring cultivation art like this would probably erode the practitioner's mind." He decided not to practice "Ten Thousand Souls Devour Soul-Devouring Claw" for now. He would first absorb the Heaven-Burning Pill's medicinal effects and strengthen himself before deciding what to do next.
Early the next morning, Xiao Yan was practicing the Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame in the courtyard when Wang Yue hurried over, looking panicked. "Mr. Xiao Yan, something terrible has happened! The Ye Family has joined with the other three great families to accuse our Wang Family of colluding with Blood Soul Hall. They're demanding that the Pill Tower strip us of our right to a seat!" Xiao Yan's brow creased slightly. "Do they have evidence?"
"They don't, but the Ye Family produced a confession from Xue Wuya claiming that you made a secret deal with him in the Demon-Hunting Grounds and deliberately spared his life." Wang Yue handed him a document sent by the Pill Tower. "The Pill Tower has already dispatched an investigation party. Its leader is Liu Changkong, the pavilion master of the Heaven-Burning Pavilion-Liu Chengfeng's father."
Xiao Yan gave a cold laugh. "Ye Gucheng is a cornered dog leaping over the wall. Does he think one forged confession can bring down the Wang Family?" He walked to the center of the courtyard. The Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame erupted, and his peak Four-Star Dou Emperor aura shot into the sky. "Just as well. I've been wanting to meet this Heaven-Burning Pavilion master and see how he turns black into white."
At a quarter to noon, the Pill Tower's investigation party arrived at Wang Family Castle. Liu Changkong wore a purple-and-gold robe patterned with dragons. His face bore a strong resemblance to Liu Chengfeng's, but his eyes were far more sinister. Four Pill Tower elders followed behind him, each radiating a formidable aura. Even the weakest was a peak Dou Emperor.
"Where is the Wang Family's patriarch?" Liu Changkong's voice carried unquestionable authority. His gaze swept the courtyard before settling on Xiao Yan. "You are Xiao Yan? Xue Wuya claims you colluded with him. Is that true?" Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "Pavilion Master Liu, isn't it rather rash to condemn someone based solely on one side's account?"
"Insolence!" An elder behind Liu Changkong roared, his peak Dou Emperor aura surging toward Xiao Yan. "A mere Four-Star Dou Emperor dares question the Pill Tower's decision?" Fearless, Xiao Yan unleashed his soul power. Dou Zong-level spiritual pressure instantly shattered the elder's aura. "Do the Pill Tower's rules consider only status and not evidence?"
The elder staggered back repeatedly, his face white as paper. A flicker of surprise crossed Liu Changkong's eyes; he clearly had not expected Xiao Yan's soul power to be so formidable. Putting aside his contempt, he took out a dossier. "This is Xue Wuya's confession at Soul Hall. It states that you spared him in the Demon-Hunting Grounds on the condition that he hand over the Soul-Devouring Octopus's magic core."
Xiao Yan accepted the dossier. The handwriting was distorted, clearly bearing signs of a confession forcibly extracted through soul power. He laughed coldly. "You believe a confession beaten out of someone, Pavilion Master Liu? Shall I take you to Soul Hall right now so we can confront Xue Wuya face-to-face?"
Liu Changkong's expression darkened. "Xue Wuya is imprisoned by Soul Hall. Do you think you can see him whenever you please?" He changed tack. "However, in recognition of your contributions at the Pill Tower Conference, this matter can be dropped if the Wang Family voluntarily relinquishes its right to a seat. Otherwise..." A threatening gleam flashed in his eyes. "The Pill Tower will join the Four Great Families in taking forcible measures against the Wang Family."
"Never!" Wang Yue stepped forward, placing herself in front of Xiao Yan. "Our Wang Family is open and upright. We will never relinquish our right to a seat!" Liu Changkong snorted coldly. "Then don't blame the Pill Tower for showing no mercy." He gestured, and the Pill Tower elders behind him immediately advanced, clearly intending to take Xiao Yan away by force.
Killing intent flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes, and the Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame blazed in his palm. "Go on. Let's see who dares make a move." His peak Four-Star Dou Emperor aura erupted in full, clashing fiercely with the auras of the four peak Dou Emperor elders in the courtyard. The entire castle trembled faintly.
Just as both sides stood with swords drawn and bows bent, an aged voice suddenly rang out. "Such arrogance, Pavilion Master Liu. You dare run wild on my territory?" Yao Chen, the Yao Clan's Grand Elder, approached at an unhurried pace. Though his aura was only that of an early-stage Dou Zong, Liu Changkong's expression changed drastically.
"Grand Elder Yao? What are you doing here?" Liu Changkong reined in his arrogance, clearly deeply wary of Yao Chen. Yao Chen smiled faintly. "Young friend Xiao Yan is an honored guest of our Yao Clan. Anyone who dares touch him makes an enemy of us." He turned to Xiao Yan and handed him a jade slip. "This is a message from Miss Yao Qing Lin. She says she has found evidence of collusion between Blood Soul Hall and the Ye Family and asks you to visit the Yao Clan at once."
Xiao Yan took the jade slip, joy rising within him. Seeing this, Liu Changkong knew he would gain nothing today. He snorted coldly. "This isn't over!" With that, he departed in disgrace with the Pill Tower elders. Wang Yue breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Yao Chen gratefully. "Thank you for helping us, Grand Elder Yao."
Yao Chen waved a hand. "A mere lift of the hand. But your Wang Family must be more careful. Since the Ye Family dared make a move, they must have more tricks waiting." He looked at Xiao Yan, a trace of gravity in his eyes. "The collusion between Blood Soul Hall and the Ye Family has far-reaching implications. It may even involve the Otherworldly Demons' ultimate plot. Be extremely cautious when you travel to the Yao Clan."
Xiao Yan nodded. "I understand." He handed the Heaven-Burning Pill and the Mystic Treasure Bodyguard Armor to Wang Yue. "While I'm at the Yao Clan, the Wang Family will depend on you. This Heaven-Burning Pill can improve a peak Dou Emperor's chances of advancing. Break through to Dou Zong as soon as possible. Only then can you truly protect the Wang Family." Wang Yue's eyes reddened slightly, and she nodded firmly.
When leaving Wang Family Castle, Xiao Yan deliberately took a side road. Sure enough, he discovered an ambush in a valley outside the city. Dozens of Ye Family guards held bows, their arrowheads coated in deadly poison. They clearly intended to kill him. Xiao Yan wasted no words. The Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame erupted, golden fire surging out like a tide and engulfing the entire valley in an instant.
Screams rose one after another. Before the ambushing guards even caught sight of Xiao Yan, they were burned to charcoal. Standing in the middle of the valley, Xiao Yan watched the burning bodies without a trace of pity in his eyes. He knew that from the moment he had set foot in the Central Plains, mercy had become his deadliest weakness.
On the way to the Yao Clan, Xiao Yan opened Yao Qing Lin's message jade slip. It recorded a shocking secret: the Ye Family's ancestors had once served the Otherworldly Demons. For generations, they had guarded a spatial rift leading to the Otherworldly Demon World. Blood Soul Hall's role was to supply the rift with enough soul energy for an army of Otherworldly Demons to invade the Central Plains.
"So that's how it is." Xiao Yan tightened his grip on the jade slip, finally understanding why the Sixth Elder was so wary of the Ye Family. He accelerated, spreading his Azure Luan Wings and streaking toward the Yao Clan like a beam of light. He knew that a great battle to decide the fate of the Central Plains was quietly brewing-and he had already been swept into the heart of the storm.
The Yao Clan's territory lay in the center of an enormous medicinal field, countless rare herbs brimming with vitality under the nourishment of a spiritual spring. As soon as Xiao Yan entered their lands, he saw Yao Qing Lin standing gracefully beneath the ceremonial archway. Her complexion had regained its healthy color, though a trace of worry still lingered between her brows.
"Brother Xiao Yan, you're finally here." Yao Qing Lin came forward and handed him a translucent scale. "This Otherworldly Demon Scale was found in the Ye Family's secret chamber. It records their ritual for opening the spatial rift. On the night of the full moon, they need the souls of one hundred thousand living people as sacrifices."
Xiao Yan took the scale and saw runes carved into it that resembled those on the altar in Black Wind Valley, only far more complex. When he probed it with his soul power, he discovered a map deep within the scale-it marked the exact location of the spatial rift, inside the Underground Palace beneath the Ye Family Ancestral Grounds!
"The full moon is in three days." Resolve flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. "We have to stop them." Yao Qing Lin nodded. "I've already notified Soul Hall and the other great families. In three days, we'll gather at the Ye Family Ancestral Grounds, destroy the spatial rift in one stroke, and completely eradicate the forces of the Ye Family and Blood Soul Hall."
Warmth welled in Xiao Yan's heart as he looked into Yao Qing Lin's resolute eyes. On the Central Plains Continent, where danger lurked on every side, having such dependable companions was undoubtedly his greatest fortune. He tightened his grip on the Heavy Sword, the Four-Symbol Heaven-Burning Flame dancing at his fingertips and anticipation gleaming in his eyes-in three days, at the Ye Family Ancestral Grounds, he would truly make his name in the Central Plains.
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